The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1887-02-16
new stock of hope and patience with which

An incident that somewhat concerns the
story / have now to tell was the review by
Sheridan of ten thousand cavalry in the
last of that February. 1t took place on
level plain near Winchester, and was at
tended by about every officer and man who
was not on duty, as we'll as half the popu-
lation of the little city. 1t was magnlti-
cent spectacle. exceeded only in splendor
by the great review of the armies which
closed the war in the following May ut
Washington. The limo of horsemen was
so long that it was doubled back into col
umns on each flank, and the continued and
prolonged burst of music from the splen-
did cavalry bands, as the General and his
staff rode around it, was inspiriting III the
extreme The passing in review before
him occupied more than an hour, and the
little chief seemed TO my fancy to swell in
to giant proportions with pride as he sat his
black PAGER and answered the salutes. What
he did with these men has become history.
In the rain and frost he pushed far up the
valley to Rockfish Gap, where they LITERAL
" rode over the disjointed fragments OF an
army that Early had gathered there, cap
turing most of them, and sending them
back to Winchester, and Il en- striking over
the mountains to the southeast, destroying
canals and railroads, and joining Grant at
City Point for the final work.
/ saw the motley captures of this raid, as
they were corralled together by the Provost
Marshal, and was highly edited by the talk
of some of them. One gaunt fellow gave
graphic summary of the affair in about
this language.
"Why, we uns was there in the gap, and
We was goin to fight YOU uns; but you uns
came ridin' in hell-bent, and scooped we
uns up just like so many herTin'?"
1t was late one night in that January,
when several of Emory's staff were sitting
up in one of our log huts at Stevenson's
Station, three miles north of Winchester,
that negro was brought in by corporal
of the guard. He was anxious to see
"Massa General Sheridan" but was pres
emily convinced that if he had anything of
importance to tell lie had better let us
have il.
His mission was indeed important, If his
story was true. He said he lived ut Bunk
er Hill, about twelve miles north, and was
"a Linkum niggab." There was an old
man named Link living there, who sympa-
thized with the Confederdcy, and whose
only son was in Early's army. Before day
light that morning he had seen n man ride
up TO Links house, and gain admittance,
while his horse was put in the barn. The
negro bad slyly watched the premises all
day, and lie believed both man and horse
were there yet
We'll, uncle, what of it?" our Provost
Marshal asked
81 tnk he S young Mas'r Link, sab"
Nonsense! Why, how could he get here,
through our pickets, from away OFT near
Gordonsvilie?"
The negro expressed the opinion that he
had made wide detour toward the noun
tains at the west, and come in that way.
81 suppose that might be; but what's his
object?"
"He's spy, sab"
"Of course he is-if he's the man: but
soldiers don't often take such risks for the
good of the service. Has he mother
alive?"
mo, sab.
"Then doubt if he's from Early's army.
A man wouldn't come all that distance and
risk his neck merely to see his father.
The darky's face wore a broad grin as
he answered that there was young woman
living at old Links house to whom the son
was engaged.
"Now you do talk" said the officer. "a
young fellow will go through fire and water
to see his sweetheart. This promises TO be
important. Stay here, and I'll see about it.
He went out, and in fifteen minutes was
back with authority from the General to try
TO make the capture, and TO take whatever
he wanted for that purpose.
Of course, we were all clamorous to 60;
but the Provost Marshal thought it neces-
sary TO take only one officer beside him.
self and a dozen mounted orderlies, all
we'll armed. The negro, of course, went
along as a guide
was not Of this little expedition, and /
awaited the result with much interest. 1t
was entirely successful. Shortly after day
light the party returned, bringing the pris-
oner on the horse which the negro had rid
den away. He was an erect, manly look
ing fellow of about Twenty-Five. He was
very pale and much agitated now, though
he did his best to keep up bold de-
meanor.
Over our mess table at breakfast that
morning, the Provost Marshal related his
adventure.
ut was about two o'clock in the morning
when we got to Bunker Hill. The negro
pointed out the house, and Immediately
made himself scarce, in which he was quite
right; it probably wouldn't be well for
him to have any of those people discover
his agency In this business. Late-or early
AS it was, there was light in the rear
part of the house. / surrounded the build
ing with nine men, posted another at the
stable door, and, with the Lieutenant and the
other two, raped Mt the back door. The
light was out in a twinkling. We ham
mered at the door till old man Link opened
a window and demanded our business.
=" We want to come in.
You shan't.
we shall We're soldiers from Ste
vensons, and have orders to search this
house.
"He became quite wild on hearing this,
but begged us to go away and not modest
him, declaring that there was nobody in the
house but me and Sue
81 was fast getting out of patience, and
was not polite at all. l intimated TO the
proprietor, whose red night-cap was stick
ing out of the window above. that he was a
COMPOUNDED old secesh liar II think / put it
stronger, but this will do, and that if he
didn't open that door forthwith I'd burst it
off its hinges. So down he came with a
light, and admitted us-and what do you
think? There sat, as she had sat for fifteen
minutes in the dark. Miss Sue, looking very
much frightened and trembling all over"
Somebody interrupted the narrative to ask
if she was handsome.
81 suppose so; / didn't stop to study her
mp and lind out. No doubt that unfortunate
young fellow in the guard house thinks she
is. We went right to business. Miss, l
said, I'm sorry TO trouble YOU, but we want
young Link. Just produce him.